COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS: Getting to know Mayor Frank Jager

As I was finishing up my series on the Eureka City Council, I knew there was one glaring omission: Mayor Frank Jager.

Technically speaking, the mayor isn't a member of the council, but I still wanted to include him. I just wasn't sure if he would have time for me.

As it turns out, giving others his time has been a priority throughout Jager's life.

Jager moved to Eureka when he was 1 year old. He told me that while it was his dad's career in the timber industry that brought the family to Eureka, it was his mother who had the biggest impact on him.

"I was always in awe of my mom. There were eight kids in my family, and my father died in 1970," Jager said. "And here she was, a single mom who got married when she was 16 and never even graduated high school, and she went back to school in her mid-50s and got a degree in accounting to be able to put the remaining kids in the house through school."

Jager attended St. Bernard's from kindergarten all the way through 12th grade. Following high school, Jager attended College of the Redwoods before serving in the Coast Guard. After the Coast Guard, he returned to school and eventually transferred to Humboldt State University.

In 1969, Jager got a summer job as an assistant zoo keeper with the city of Eureka parks department. For the next couple of summers Jager returned to the parks department, working from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. putting out sprinklers to water the city parks, playgrounds and ball fields.

While working late nights, Jager would run into some of the cops on patrol, and they encouraged him to apply at the police department.

Jager took their advice and got a job with the police department -- as the assistant dog catcher. One night, he took a ride along with one of the officers.

"That was probably one of the most exciting nights of my life," Jager said. "We got involved in a high-speed vehicle pursuit chasing down a couple of burglars, and I thought, 'This is something that I really want to do.'"

In 1973, Jager took the test to become an officer. He worked as a patrol officer for five years before getting promoted to the detective bureau, where he worked as an evidence technician.

In 1990, Jager was recruited and hired to work as an investigator in the District Attorney's office. No longer a city employee, Jager had the opportunity to make an impact on the community through public office.

He was elected to the Eureka City Council in 1992, and re-elected in 1996, a term that was cut short by a unique opportunity.

"The position of Humboldt County coroner became available, and it piqued my interest," Jager said. "Since you can't hold two elected positions, I had to resign from the city council."

Jager shared that being coroner was the most fascinating job he ever had. He held the position for 10 years, until his retirement in 2008.

Retirement didn't slow Jager down, as he immediately went back to finish what he started by running for city council again. He was elected and, after finishing up his remaining two years on the council, Jager threw his hat in the ring for mayor. He was elected to that position in 2010.

Along Jager's journey to becoming mayor, he raised a family with his wife of 41 years, Sarah. He also served in the National Guard and, for the past 45 years, has served as proud Scout Master for the Pacific Rivers District, Boy Scout Troop 54.

Jager has dedicated his entire life to public service, a value he directly attributes to his mother.

"My mom always talked about the value of public service, and how not everybody has what you have, and you have an obligation to share that," Jager said. "She always stressed that your time and commitment to causes and people are more important than money, and that always stayed with me."

Jager's career can almost be seen as a tribute to his mother, because whether he was catching dogs, investigating crime scenes or cutting ribbons, he has spent his life giving his time to others. It's a quality I'm grateful for, because that time also included an hour to share his story.

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Brian Millett is the recreation coordinator for the city of Eureka and can be reached at bmillett@ci.eureka.ca.gov. The opinions expressed herein are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the viewpoint of the Times-Standard.